There are three different solvents that can be used to extract the desired compounds of the cannabis plant: ethanol, hydrocarbons and supercritical CO2. With different solvents come vastly different process conditions that impact the extracted cannabidiol oil or crude oil at the end of the extraction process. For example from -40 °C with ethanol to +55°C with hydrocarbon. Endress+Hauser has the right instrumentation to improve your extraction process with all three methods.

Our expertise in the field

Due to the significant impact on the product quality, the extraction process must be well-controlled. Our comprehensive instrumentation portfolio offers a wide range of technology to cover the entire extraction process, regardless of which specific method is applied. Our portfolio includes hygienic process connections and Ex certification as well as ceramic measuring cells.

• The pressure in pipes and vessels is monitored by Cerabar PMC51B pressure sensors with ceramic membrane.
• Precise flow measurement technology like the Promass E100 enables quantity based recipe control to ensure consistent quality.
• Implementing accurate and reliable level measurement with our Liquiphant FTL63 ensures a more controlled and optimized extraction operation.
• Precise temperature measurement is necessary to avoid the co-extraction of unwanted by-products. A temperature sensor with a very fast response time like our iTHERM QuickSens can improve the protection of temperature sensitive compounds.

The winterized cannabis oil then goes through a vacuum filtration process. This crucial step separates the majority of ethanol from the oil, allowing for its reuse within a closed-loop system. The winterization process eliminates fats, lipids, and other undesirable substances from the crude oil extract. This step is essential to enhance the purity of cannabinoids.

Our expertise in the field

Process conditions in this step can vary between -20°C and - 80°C for temperature and approximately 6 bar of pressure.

• Our Micropilot FMR63B is a perfect fit for these process conditions and come with hygienic certifications such as ASME-BPE and various ex-certifications

The final stage involves the distillation process, utilizing a thin-film evaporator to further refine and purify the cannabis oil. This step enables precise control over the cannabinoid profile of the end product.

Our expertise in the field

Accurate measurements of pressure, level and flow in this process step help control the key parameters that influence the separation and collection of the desired compounds.

• The pressure in pipes and vessels is monitored by Cerabar PMC51B with ceramic membrane.
• Dry run protection in circulation pumps is ensured with our vibronic point level detection Liquiphant FTL63. This point level switch is fit for use in hazardous areas as well as the hygienic certificates for the life sciences industry.
• For 80GHz radar level measurement in application with hygiene requirements (3A, EHEDG, CoC
  ASME-BPE) our Micropilot FMR63B is an ideal candidate.
• Coriolis mass flow meters such as Proline Promass F 300 ensure the correct dosage of the liquids.

ATEX, FM/UL, FDA, hygienic requirements as well as safety-related requirements are thoroughly implemented in our entire portfolio. Due to the use of ethanol as a solvent the cannabis extraction equipment is subject to explosion protection. Depending on the country of destination, the equipment is certified according to ATEX or for the North American market according to FM/UL standard.

Our expertise in the field

While GMP is not yet mandatory in these applications, all used Endress+Hauser devices posses the required approvals. To address customer concerns, our measuring devices have a hygienic design with FDA conformity for wetted parts. Factory calibration with certificates is the standard.